Can macaws eat chili peppers?

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Chili peppers · for macaws

Yes — parrots can't feel capsaicin heat at all, and chilies are rich in vitamins A and C. A whole fresh chili is a favorite treat for many species.

What it means for macaws

This is one of the foods we especially recommend for macaws: it plays to what macaws need most — a little more healthy fat than smaller parrots, including nuts. Macaws can handle a generous portion for their size.

The full picture on chili peppers

Birds lack the receptor that makes capsaicin feel hot — biologists believe chilies evolved this way precisely so birds would eat them and spread the seeds. A habanero that would ruin your afternoon is, to a macaw, just a crunchy red fruit packed with vitamins A and C. Bell peppers, seeds and membranes included, are equally safe.

See the full chili peppers guide or the Macaw diet guide for more.

← Back to Macaw diet guide
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